A Successful Career After Divorce

“You hurt my hand,” Ranita said calmly, but her eyes remained fixed on Brendon.

She dared not blink, afraid of revealing her emotions, afraid of shedding heavy tears, afraid of being seen as pitiful and pathetic in front of Brendon. She was scared that she would lose all dignity in front of him.

The grip on her wrist finally loosened and the steam and cold fragrance dissipated a bit. Ranita lowered her head and pulled her suitcase out.

After she walked a few steps away from him, the man suddenly called out to her again, “Wait!”

Ranita stopped but did not turn around. “What else do you want?” she asked.

His footsteps approached rapidly behind her and his shadow loomed over her head once again blocking off the path ahead. Brendon’s gaze fell upon Ranita’s coat for a few seconds before he spoke, “Ranita, I can overlook what happened with Shannon but you know that I’m friends with Steve right?”

“After our divorce, I shouldn’t have cared about your personal affairs anymore but you shouldn’t be playing both sides – flirting with Dylan while also trying to get Steve’s attention.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Was she involved with Steve?

Ranita interrupted calmly, “Brendon, you’re overthinking things! Although Dr. Pearson is very nice to me just like how we are now, it’s purely professional relationship between us two.”

She paused for a moment before continuing in an uncomfortable tone, “Mr. Stuart, you can rest assured that I won’t let things become awkward between you guys.”

Brendon felt frustrated inside.

How could Steve compare to him? He was supposed to be Ranita’s man! Was Steve even one at all?

“You always know where to draw the line!” Brendon maintained his indifferent expression as he reached out towards Ranita, “Give me your coat. I’ll pass it on to Steve.”

Ranita was feeling uneasy. It was a bit chilly outside, and she didn’t have her jacket. What would happen if she caught a cold?

“Can’t bear to part with it?” Brendon drawled out the words slowly, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone that made Ranita’s chest feel tight.

What did he mean by “draw the line”? She had already divorced and terminated her contract with Stuart’s Corp. What more restraint did he expect from her?

Ranita gritted her teeth and replied, “Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Stuart. Although I don’t have any special relationship with Dr. Pearson, this is his kindness to me. I will wash it clean myself and return it to him without troubling you.”

“Oh yeah, I spoke too fast earlier! Mr. Stuart, you have Miss Murphy, but as someone who walks alone like me can get lonely too. If I find another man or not is my own business.” Ranita continued before Brendon could say anything else, “Who knows if Dr. Pearson and I are really meant to be together!”

Ranita left without looking back at Brendon’s scowling face after finishing speaking.

But as she walked away carrying her suitcase down the hallway, Ranita began regretting what she said earlier. She felt bad for dragging Steve into the mess between herself and Brendon.

She thought about apologizing next time they met, but wondered if Steve would even care…

“Miss Bowman, you’re so slow!” Addyson complained as soon as she stepped out of the room. “Hurry up!”

Addyson had been standing outside their door when she heard noises coming from inside. She knew that Brendon had come back, and worse, she saw him holding onto Ranita tightly. Addyson couldn’t help but clench her fists in anger, wishing that she could crush Ranita underfoot!

Fuming with anger, she couldn’t resist making snide remarks, “Miss Bowman, could you walk any slower? Miss Murphy will be back soon, and if she sees you here, she won’t be happy! Now, Miss Murphy is Mr. Stuart’s precious treasure, and also Mrs. Stuart’s apple of eye. You can’t afford to offend them.”